Is this normal?

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Zedshawnh

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I was pretty close to buying this used Beretta Silver Pigeon I Sporting but backed out because the barrel (1st pic) didn’t look right after I took out the choke for inspection. The choke (2nd pic) looked questionable too that came out of that barrel. I am new to clay shooting and have limited knowledge on these shotguns.

1. Is that rust or is that normal and just a dirty barrel?
2. Is that normal condition for choke or needs to be changed ?
3. How do you folks maintain/ clean such shotguns with chokes to avoid rusts ? Do you use special grease for putting on chokes ?

Any tips for what to inspect when purchasing a used clay shooting shotgun, parts that are known to have regular wear and tear, would be much appreciated.
 

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Def looks like corrosion.
I'm no expert but if it hasn't moved into the bores, the choke threads can be scrubbed and cleaned of most of it. Oil should slow it to a crawl or even stop it. Could replace the chokes too.
I'll let other more qualified shooters comment on the action etc. Good luck!
 
IMHO that looks like a bit of both corrosion and gunk.
How was the rest of the gun? Big dings and dents in the wood, scratches on the metal all kind of shows how it was treated.

When you close the action where is the opening lever, it should be (looking barrels pointed up) slightly to the right or at least center, if it off center to the left your probably looking at a gun with lots of rounds through it and depending on your usage will probably need a rebuild soon. Hinge pin worn out. That can get expensive.

If all thats good and when you close it is like closing a well fitted door 🚪 not shutting the door on a beat up old car, and its at a good price I'd say go for it.

That choke looks like its never been taken out.

You could clean it with some oil and a brass wire brush and do the same with the internal treads but be gentle.
I just use light gun oil and wipe them off, seen guns where the choke was drenched when being good changed, no need for that just light oiling.

Now if you have a little bit of trouble treading it in but it does go in , a little (and a little will do) of anti seize.

Hope this helps.
 
It's a little grungy and corroded. Someone wasn't removing, and oiling their chokes ... ever.

None of that is the end of the world. A little cleanup with an oily rag and maybe a buff with an abrasive pad is all that is needed. Surface corrosion is nothing the be concerned about, it'll be fine. That'd give you a little room to wiggle on the price for sure but it shouldn't be a deal breaker if the rest of the gun is in good shape.
 
Clay Huntin' Canuck said:
IMHO that looks like a bit of both corrosion and gunk.
How was the rest of the gun? Big dings and dents in the wood, scratches on the metal all kind of shows how it was treated.

When you close the action where is the opening lever, it should be (looking barrels pointed up) slightly to the right or at least center, if it off center to the left your probably looking at a gun with lots of rounds through it and depending on your usage will probably need a rebuild soon. Hinge pin worn out. That can get expensive.

If all thats good and when you close it is like closing a well fitted door 🚪 not shutting the door on a beat up old car, and its at a good price I'd say go for it.

That choke looks like its never been taken out.

You could clean it with some oil and a brass wire brush and do the same with the internal treads but be gentle.
I just use light gun oil and wipe them off, seen guns where the choke was drenched when being good changed, no need for that just light oiling.

Now if you have a little bit of trouble treading it in but it does go in , a little (and a little will do) of anti seize.

Hope this helps.
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Thanks. I am going to pass on this one. My worry is what if this gun wasn’t stored properly and may have rust down the road.
 
Zedshawnh said:
I was pretty close to buying this used Beretta Silver Pigeon I Sporting but backed out because the barrel (1st pic) didn’t look right after I took out the choke for inspection. The choke (2nd pic) looked questionable too that came out of that barrel. I am new to clay shooting and have limited knowledge on these shotguns.

1. Is that rust or is that normal and just a dirty barrel?
2. Is that normal condition for choke or needs to be changed ?
3. How do you folks maintain/ clean such shotguns with chokes to avoid rusts ? Do you use special grease for putting on chokes ?

Any tips for what to inspect when purchasing a used clay shooting shotgun, parts that are known to have regular wear and tear, would be much appreciated.
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Thought I'd show you some pics to see what I mean about the opening lever. The first pic is my Browning trap gun., lever to the right, shot it lots and still locks up tight as a safe. Second is a Biakal no idea how many rounds and probably heavy hunting loads , she loose but still works, the third is a Spanish build and its had a lot of rounds down the pipes but i knew what i was getting. I bought it and it needed repairs to actually shot the thing but it still gets used.
Another thing to look at is screws. Are they all chewed up, probably means someone was in it and who knows what been done. Thera a lot more but this is the basis thing to look out for.
Once again hope this helps.
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Clay Huntin' Canuck said:
Thought I'd show you some pics to see what I mean about the opening lever. The first pic is my Browning trap gun., lever to the right, shot it lots and still locks up tight as a safe. Second is a Biakal no idea how many rounds and probably heavy hunting loads , she loose but still works, the third is a Spanish build and its had a lot of rounds down the pipes but i knew what i was getting. I bought it and it needed repairs to actually shot the thing but it still gets used.
Another thing to look at is screws. Are they all chewed up, probably means someone was in it and who knows what been done. Thera a lot more but this is the basis thing to look out for.
Once again hope this helps.
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Thanks and nice collection!
 
Stuck choke tubes are more common than one might think. I recently was asked to remove a stuck choke from a Winchester SX3, it was stuck bad and probably had not been out of the gun since new. After soaking it in penetrating oil for several days I was able to get it out but not before wrecking the choke tube. The tube for that SP1 looks pretty good by comparison and should clean up fine. Fortunately there was still enough threads left in the barrel of the SX3 to securely hold a new choke tube.

A lot of folks use never seize on their choke tubes but I've always just used synthetic grease, the same stuff I lube the trunions and locking block with and I loosen the tubes after done shooting for the day. I also pull them out, wipe off and re lube every other shooting session or so.
 
I would use the rust as an excuse to get the price down and then clean it up and shoot it. There is nothing that I see there that won't clean up. Shotgun barrels don't have to be absolutely pristine to shoot properly. The wad carries the shot the length of the barrel.
 
It’s definitely rust.

I’ve never had rust in any choke tube or had one seized.

I used to always grease or oil it. Now I use Teflon tape. Both methods keep it 100% free of corrosion and seizing.

I actually can’t figure out how to get one to rust like that. I just run a wet mop down the barrel after shooting, keep the surface and mechanicals lightly lubed, and clean them only once per season. So far it’s worked well for me over 36 years.
 
Little scrub to the barrel and the threads and it’s good as new! Little moisture and some fouling by the looks of it. Choke came out so nothing to really worry about. If the price is right and the rest is in good shape, will be a great gun for years.
 
bdft said:
I would use the rust as an excuse to get the price down and then clean it up and shoot it. There is nothing that I see there that won't clean up. Shotgun barrels don't have to be absolutely pristine to shoot properly. The wad carries the shot the length of the barrel.
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Brand new silver pigeon is like $3600 plus tax or $3200 on sale. What would be reasonable offer for something like this ?
 
Throw a 12ga chamber/choke brush into a drill and let 'er rip.
Of course, also use a suitable lubricant to keep things good in there.

25_Straight said:
Little scrub to the barrel and the threads and it’s good as new! Little moisture and some fouling by the looks of it. Choke came out so nothing to really worry about. If the price is right and the rest is in good shape, will be a great gun for years.
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OP - The issue here is how bad the gun has been neglected. If a fella doesnt bother to check/maintain the chokes, what about the rest of the gun? Granted, Berettas have chrome lined bores, so they are likely in good shape. I'd be more concerned about the state of the trunnions and locking pins...
I would want to do a very detailed inspection before deciding on what its worth.
 
Falconflyer said:
A really good condition Silver Pidgeon could easily be worth $2500 but without detailed pictures it's difficult to put a value on this one.
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Current asking price here or other sites for really good condition silver pigeon is around ~$2750 to 3000. The chokes were the only issue I found. The rest of the rifle was good. I didn’t dig deep for internal rust once I saw the chokes.
 
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